Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Connor Wilson

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 20: Adama Sanogo #21 of the Connecticut Huskies is introduced before a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Arena on January 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 20: Adama Sanogo #21 of the Connecticut Huskies is introduced before a college basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Arena on January 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Big East Basketball Providence Friars forward Ed Croswell David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Big East Basketball Providence Friars forward Ed Croswell David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Providence Friars

Projected Lineup

G: Jared Bynum (Senior)

G: Devin Carter (Soph.)

G: Noah Locke (5th Year)

F: Ed Croswell (5th Year)

F: Clifton Moore (5th Year)

Entering last season, expectations weren’t that high for Ed Cooley and the Providence Friars. They were coming off of a .500 season and their best player, David Duke, just went pro. Fast forward to now and the Friars finished the season 27-6, won the Big East regular-season crown, and made the Sweet 16 for the first time in 25 years.

This year, the Friars are going to take a step back, as their entire starting lineup was made up of seniors who have all moved on from the program. Only three rotational players will be coming back in guards Jared Bynum and Alyn Breed and big man Ed Croswell. Coach Cooley is going to have to continue to add to his squad through the transfer portal, something that really benefited the team last year (see Al Durham from Indiana, Justin Minaya from South Carolina, and Noah Horchler from North Florida).

Cooley has already been busy, adding Louisville transfer and former Florida guard Noah Locke, South Carolina guard Devin Carter and LaSalle big Clifton Moore. He also scooped up former UConn guard Corey Floyd Jr. Many are quick to overlook the Friars this season due to everything they lost but don’t count out this group just yet.

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